Jackets' Wisniewski looking ahead

Thursday

Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski had wide eyes yesterday, as if he were still in shock 48 hours after being suspended by the NHL for eight regular-season games.

Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski had wide eyes yesterday, as if he were still in shock 48 hours after being suspended by the NHL for eight regular-season games.

Wisniewski is known to speak as he plays, which is to say his impulses often lead him to the edge of trouble. He used a day and a half of public silence to collect his thoughts and corral his emotions, but a Jackets public-relations official stood nearby as Wisniewski spoke yesterday, just to make sure certain questions didn't send him veering off course.

"I'm going to stay positive," Wisniewski said. "I'm going to do anything I can while I'm out of the lineup, whether it's talking to the young guys - the young defensemen here - to see if they have any questions or any way I can help them.

"I'm going to be around here, but I'm not going to be down about anything. No pouty face from me. It's over. It's done. That's how it has to be."

The suspension is not only the lengthiest in Blue Jackets history, but the forfeited salary of $536,000 is believed to be the largest in NHL history. For a while, Wisniewski said that he, his agent (Bill Zito) and the Blue Jackets were weighing whether to appeal the ruling but decided not to.

"You appeal to the same person (NHL head disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan)," Wisniewski said, with a what's-the-point? tone.

On Friday, Wisniewski clashed with Minnesota forward Cal Clutterbuck in the final minute of regulation after Clutterbuck took a run at Wisniewski's playing partner, Fedor Tyutin. Clutterbuck skated in Wisniewski's direction, and when the two met, Wisniewski thrust his elbow and shoulder into Clutterbuck's head, sending him to the ice.

Wisniewski was given a minor penalty for high-sticking as the game went to overtime.

"I didn't think it was even going to be reviewed," Wisniewski said. "The play happened. (Clutterbuck) has his own reputation. You can write about that; it's nothing I have anything to say about. I got a two-minute penalty in the game. And then I got an eight-game suspension."

The Blue Jackets play the Wild tonight at Nationwide Arena, and Clutterbuck will be in the lineup.

Wisniewski will miss the first regular-season meeting between the teams, on Oct. 8 in St. Paul, Minn.

Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and coach Scott Arniel have said that Wisniewski will need to tone down his game upon his return. Instead of lining up players at the blue line for big hits, he'll need to settle for solid positioning. Rather than dropping his gloves, he'll need to bite the bullet, although Wisniewski is not a frequent fighter.

The Blue Jackets didn't sign him to a six-year, $33 million contract to pile up penalty minutes.

"The good thing, I showed my offensive capabilities last (season)," Wisniewski said. "I showed I'm effective with my brand of game, my vision and the way I can create offensively. I blocked over 100 shots.

"I've always played the game hard; that's how I got here. I just have to play hard, but smarter."

Wisniewski has asked to sit in the press box during the first eight games with assistant coach Dan Hinote and goaltending coach Ian Clark.

But it's clearly eating at him that he won't be on the ice.

"I look at it today as if I still have loving family members, friends, and I'm in a great organization that has backed me the whole way," Wisniewski said. "Now … that's all I care about."

aportzline@dispatch.com

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